Aug. 10, 2005 — In order to improve the V.I. government's ability to manage crises, the Governor's Office of Public Relations held a two-day information management crisis briefing at Government House on Monday and Tuesday, according to a release from the Office of Public Relations.
Held in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Territorial Management Agency (VITEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the high-level briefing helped to familiarize public information officers with crisis management procedures.
The briefing was conducted by James O'Bryan Jr., public affairs assistant to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, and his staff. Also lending their expertise to the event were FEMA Regional Director Michael S. Beeman — the lead coordinator of the first eight hours of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City — and Bri Rodriguez, a public affairs officer with the Department of Homeland Security.
Also present were St. Croix Administrator Gregory Francis and St. John Administrator Julien Harley, who along with St. Thomas/Water Island Administrator O'Bryan, are key components in the plan's execution.
According to O'Bryan, the briefing was "constructive and informative."
"During this most active hurricane season, we are making all initiatives to identify and secure resources and better prepare for all contingencies in order to lessen the loss of life and destruction of property," O'Bryan concluded.
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